Ohio Interviews: Misaki Kawai

Misaki, how are you?! We are so excited about your new solo show, “Hair Show,” which is running through Saturday, November 2 at The Hole, 312 Bowery. How was the opening? What was a fun moment for you?

I am nice & steamy red bean buns:-)

Thank you!

The opening was so hairy!

I like people are relaxing on the smashed bubbles and tofu heads. Combing hairy paintings and shampooing fluffy stuffs.

You spent most of 2013 traveling across Asia. (Astute Ohio Edit readers will remember that when we interviewed you last, you had just comeback from Laos, of which you said: “I am back from bubble villages in the mountain in Laos. There are no toilet, no water, no electric, no cookies.”) What was one of your favorite places in your year of travel?

Bubbly mountains are special…

I like seeing ‘watching tv shop’ and ‘making phone call shop’ in Myanmar.

There are no ATM machine in the country.

Everywhere is street market. They put fresh fish on the cardboard box. At night market some woman putting candle in fresh fish mouth for candle holder.

Fish with Candles, Myanmar Market

The last time we saw you, performing at the OE reading at POWERhouse arena, you had cut your own hair into a style I would categorize as a page boy. Did you consider your own hairstyle as part of “Hair Show”? What is your favorite thing to do with your own hair? How about with Justin’s hair?

I like to find Lucky hair!

Lucky hair means good luck!

Everyday is hair show on the earth. Puffy dog, silky kitty and pandas!

Now my hair is shorter than before. Just like you:-)

After I cut my hair I make hair drawing.

Justin has more hair! On the chest and cheeks!

I would like to have hairy face for a week.

Misaki and hairy friends

Do you know the musical, “Hair”? The music was written by Galt MacDermot (whose daughter Molly is our “Mad Former EIC of a MIllion Dollar Magazine Empire”) and one song from it is called, “Walking in Space.” The lyrics, which include the line, “Floating, flipping/Flying, tripping,” remind me of your work. If you had to write a song for this show, what would some lyrics be?

My hair
My hair

Too long
I can’t see anything
I can’t eat my noodle

My hair
My hair

Too fluffy
Let’s comb spaghetti
Good bye meatballs

My hair
My hair

My hair is as long as extension cords
Electric shock, be careful

My hair
My hair

Let’s make carpet with my hair
We can ride and fly

Walking on hairy street
Walking on hairy street

We gotta comb nicely
So we can walk smooth and sloppily

My hair
My hair
My fuzzy hair

My hair
My hair
Bubbly shampoo

My hair
My hair
Good combing technique

Misaki Kawai is an artist, musician, human. She was born in 1978 in Osaka. Her site is here.